105. Teaching Them How to Learn: The Most Crucial UX Skill of All

In a field where tools change regularly, is teaching adaptability more valuable than any specific skill?

This week, we’re joined by Erica Heinz, a veteran UX designer and educator with over two decades of experience. Erica challenges traditional approaches to UX education, advocating for a paradigm shift that prioritizes teaching students how to learn rather than focusing solely on current tools and techniques.

Drawing from her extensive experience teaching at institutions like the Parsons School of Design and the School of Visual Arts, Erica shares insights on cultivating a mindset of continuous learning in UX designers. She discusses strategies for developing meta-learning skills, fostering curiosity, and building resilience to thrive in a rapidly evolving field.

Don’t miss Erica’s practical advice on developing a learning mindset that will serve you throughout your career, regardless of how tools and technologies may change. Whether you’re a student, educator, or practicing designer, this episode offers valuable perspectives on future-proofing your UX career through adaptability and lifelong learning.

Helpful Links:
• Connect with Erica on LinkedIn
• Think in 4D on Substack
• Pick up your copy of Think in 4D

Erica Heinz
UX Strategy & Design // Author Think in 4D

About Erica

Erica has over 20 years of experience working as a digital designer and strategist in New York City, creating apps, websites, products, and popular services with millions of people. She has taught undergraduate and graduate design classes at Parsons School of Design and the School of Visual Arts, led prototyping and user experience labs in Fortune 100 accelerators and NYC incubators, and spoken on topics from creative culture to CSS.

Connect with Erica on LinkedIn

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